OUR MISSION: WE SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH - SO HELP US GOOD FAIRY OF POPULARITY. . .

So you're starting middle school and a little worried, right? Well, put your freak-out on pause because we got the goods on how to make middle school the best three years ever. Why is our blog so unique? Hel-lo!! Because we're in middle school, too!

Anyways, we know you want to get A's and be super popular. And the truth is you can - which is why we wrote this super cool awesome handbook called

LUCY AND CECEE'S HOW TO SURVIVE (AND THRIVE) IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. We're going to tell you everything from how to snag that skater slacker you're crushing on to pinching out an A from that sadistic science teacher with the weird combover.

In short, we'll teach you not just how to survive - but thrive in middle school. So with that - here's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us Good Fairy of Popularity...

Hearts and rainbows,

Lucy &

CeCee

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Okay, CeCee and I are just going to lay it out there. EVERYONE wants to be popular! And while some people are just born popular, like Kandi, Kassi, and Kalli, most of us have to work at it (very hard, I might add). Now, CeCee and I haven’t lied to you, and we’re not going to start now. We’d like to be a lot more popular than we are. Oh sure, people know us and we’re not like uber-nerds or anything but we’re not A-crowd either. That said, we’re working on it. Meanwhile, we do know what a popular girl looks like, sounds like, and acts like. So here goes...

Do’s and Don’ts on How to be Popular:

♥ DO - join lots of clubs to meet new people. Join a sports team; try out for cheerleader; run for student council. Don’t worry if you make it or not. Just go for it! You’ll meet lots of cool people along the way.

♥ DO possess confidence. Walk down the hall like you’re important and people will think you’re important. Make eye contact and smile, smile, smile.

♥ DO flaunt a positive attitude. No one likes a Grumpie Gretchen.

♥ DO go to all the dances and after school social events.

♥ DO go to parties when you’re invited and get your social on. Sometime during the year (maybe around your birthday) throw your own epic party. Invite everyone, including the popular kids.

♥ DON’T ever be mean to other kids and DON’T gossip.

♥ DON’T over do it. No one likes a desperate wannabe.

♥ DON’T ever drink or do drugs to be popular.* You’ll just get the wrong reputation.

♥ DON’T do things with guys just to be popular. Again, you’ll be popular but in the wrong way. Remember: a reputation can follow you all the way into high school.

*Peer Pressure
If someone does try to get you to drink or do drugs, you can say “no” and still be cool. Here are some ways to deal with peer pressure:

Situation – Patty Peer Pressure comes up to you and says, “Hey, you should take a drag of this cigarette. It would make you look so fly.”
You can:

♥ Come up with an alternate idea. Example: “No thanks. Let’s go chat it up with Stacie instead.”

♥ Be nice but firm. Make it clear you don’t want to smoke now or in the future. In other words, don’t say, “Maybe next time,” or “Maybe tomorrow.” Say, “I’m not really into that scene. I try to be really healthy.” If she persists, walk away.

♥ Hang with people who share your same beliefs and values.

♥ Remember a true friend will always respect your wishes.

BEWARE: Popularity is flimsy. You can be popular one day and not so much the next. In other words, it’s way more important to find a group of friends you like and vice-versa.

Paris Festival of Books Young Adult Award

BlueInk Starred Review

"(Dana) knows her audience well, and has pitched this book to them perfectly, packing useful information into a fun, frothy read....Any sixth grade girl who's facing middle school as if it were a firing squad will find great comfort here. Both entertaining and useful, How to Survive is a winner."

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Midwest Book Review

"Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School" explores the challenges middle school shenanigans of Lucy and CeCee as they try to apply their expertise with dealing with bullies, life, and everything else, sharing their adventures of middle school drama. With plenty of humor and adventure, "Lucy and CeCee's How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School" is a strongly recommended addition to young adult fiction collections, not to be missed." - Midwest Book Review

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Readers Favorite Review

"This nostalgic read is both fun and informative in its perspective of middle school existence. The author's use of tweenie vernacular adds to character development and theme relevance."

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Kirkus Review

"But while the girls’ teachings are often amusing, what really makes Dana’s book exceptional are the girls themselves....The girls’ approach to more sensitive issues such as cyberbullying and peer pressure to drink or do drugs is intelligent and responsible. Lucy and CeCee’s target audience may consist solely of tweens, but this is a book that can educate readers of any age."

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Honorable Mention at San Francisco Festival of Books

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Honorable Mention at New York Festival of Books

Clarion Review

"Lucy and CeCee’s guide to middle-school survival is a fast-paced, funny, and insightful book that will serve to clarify typical teen lingo and behavior for adults and give guidelines to tween and teenage kids who are having trouble navigating the middle-school milieu."

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About the Author

Kimberly Dana is a multi-award-winning author and literacy specialist. Kimberly’s most recent books include her YA thriller, Cheerage Fearage, middle grade novel Lucy and CeCee’s How to Survive (and Thrive) in Middle School, and the delightful picture book, Pretty Dolls, awarded Best Children’s Book of the Year by Reader Views and Character Building Counts. Kimberly has been featured on NBC's More at Midday as a middle school tween and anti-bullying expert. In her spare time, Kimberly travels around the country giving author presentations to children and young adults.